Una recensione di The Comedian dal net
ADAM REVIEWS THE AFI FILM FESTIVAL’S WORLD PREMIERE OF TAYLOR HACKFORD’S NEWEST FILM THE COMEDIAN STARRING ROBERT DENIRO.
There is a sense of urgency in the newest film by Taylor Hackford, The Comedianstarring Robert DeNiro that we have not seen from either’s recent work. Shooting the film in 27 days in New York with a minimal crew brought something out of the director and his star. Many have noted recently that Robert DeNiro’s choices as of late have been uninspired. As Jackie Burke the center of this intimate story of a washed up Sitcom star, DeNiro shows that he has those inspired performances in him still.
Not as much a story as it is a character piece, The Comedian never feels episodic like many of these films can feel. Working from a script by Jeffery Ross, Art Linson, Richard LaGravanese, and Lewis Friedman their is an authenticity to the story of a washed up Stand-Up trying to find his way later in his career. One of the many pleasures of the film is how it’s script continually defies the expectations of a normal drama. Even when you think that the plot is pushing towards something conventional like a romantic comedy it chooses the a course that is more true than glamorized.
DeNiro as Jackie is everything we expect from the actor but have not seen from him as of late, a fully realized character. Jackie is an terrible person pushing himself out to the fringes of comedy and society as a whole in the beginning of the film. The uncompromising journey that DeNiro takes Jackie on is the kind of bruised battered and honest work that was a commonality from the titan 30 years ago. The commitment that DeNiro brings to the role both dramatically and comedically is impressive. At this moment in his career the actor has nothing to prove but he pushes himself in the film.
The supporting cast uniformly wonderful. Leslie Mann is a standout as Harmony, a woman that comes into Jackie’s life and changes things unexpectedly. Mann give a naturally funny and unfettered performance that recalls Gena Rowlins work with John Cassavetes. Mann may be the biggest revelation for audiences as her work here is funny, warm, powerful and charming. Danny DeVito and Patti LuPone steal the show as Jackie’s put upon brother and sister-in-law. There are few things funnier than watching LuPone’s Flo give “the eye” to Jackie. Many will be warmed to see DeVito giving a funny and warm performance going toe to toe with DeNiro. Edie Falco, Cloris Leachman, Charles Grodin and Harvey Keitel all show up in smaller but pivotal roles. Look for a who’s who of standup comedians in cameos.
The Comedian is the type of unexpectedly good film that people will delight in telling their friends about. Anchored by a truly good committed performance by Robert DeNiro and a winning Leslie Mann performance this is one to see right away.
